This recent study was conducted over a 50-week period, making it one of the longest intermittent fasting studies to date. Researchers split 150 participants into three groups. One group followed the 5:2 intermittent fasting diet (with two non-consecutive “fast” days per week eating about 500 kcal), while the second group reduced daily calorie intake by approximately 20%. A third control group weren’t instructed to change their diet.
While the lemonade master cleanse is gaining new popularity, it is by no means a new diet. This diet method was initially developed in 1940 by Stanley Burroughs, who practiced alternative health and medicine, as a cure for ulcers. Thirty years later, Burroughs published a book describing the benefits of this liquid diet not only as a cure for stomach ulcers but also as a way to cleanse the body and shed excess fat within a few weeks.
If you’ve been eating fast food for years, get real about your approach: You’re probably not going to stick to an organic, gluten-free, paleo overhaul for very long. "You want to change as little as possible to create calorie deficit," says Dr. Seltzer, who insists the best way to support sustainable weight loss is to incorporate small changes into existing habits. So instead of giving up your daily BLT bagels in favor of an egg-white wrap, try ordering your sandwich on a lighter English muffin. Or say you eat a snack bar every afternoon: Swap your 300-calorie bar for a 150-calorie alternative. "Your brain will feel the same way about it, so you won’t feel deprived," he says.
Although we tend to favor plant-based proteins, Stonyfield produces a quality option for the milk-loving crowd. Low-fat milk and milk protein concentrate drive both the sugar and protein content, and we can’t scoff at the 1:1 protein to sugar ratio when most companies struggle to get close to 1:2. You won’t find any fancy flavors here, but the chocolate, vanilla and strawberry they do offer should be enough to satisfy most cravings.
Drinking green tea regularly may not only boost your fat fighting metabolism, but may also play a key role in weight maintenance and hunger suppression. One study from the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that in just two months, green tea drinkers lost an average of six pounds more than those who drank plain water. Green tea is also brimming with antioxidants and flavonoids that are good for overall health. Drink freshly brewed tea with no added sugar or cream — bottled store-bought varieties have fewer antioxidants (the concentration decreases the longer tea sits after brewing) and are often pumped full of honey or sugar.
While Samantha seems to attribute much of her success to the healthy drink, Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.N., L.D., an instructor of nutrition at Mayo Clinic, says that lowering her calorie intake was probably the biggest factor in Samantha's weight loss journey. Although caffeine in green tea can jump-start your metabolism, it wouldn't be enough to produce significant weight loss results, says Zeratsky.
Intermittent fasting — the most popular form of fasting today — consists of eating within a specific window of time in the day, and not eating for the remaining hours of the day. For example, one popular version of intermittent fasting is the 16/8 method. This entails a nonfasting window of eight hours (such as 11am to 7pm) followed by a fasting period.
Purchase an electric teakettle. Electric teakettles are readily available at many bath and kitchen stores, ranging in price and are extremely easy to use. All you have to do is fill it with water and push a button or lever to bring it to a boil. You can brew tea by the cup or add several tea bags to the entire pot once the water has boiled. Keep a thermos as well for the additional boiled water. Fill with water, add the green tea and keep by the kettle or your desk for ease of pouring a tea when needed.
Petey’s Bing Beverage serves up an extra boost of energy from taurine (1000mg), an amino acid you’ll find in many of the sporty energy drinks due to its ability to improve athletic performance. A recent study in the Journal of Cardiology found participants who supplemented with 500 mg of taurine three times daily for two weeks, were able to significantly increase exercise distance. In addition to the 1000mg taurine, you’ll get a healthy dose of polyphenols from the bing cherries, which research suggests can reduce inflammation and improve cardiovascular health. A month-long clinical trial published in the Journal of Nutrition saw a 21 percent reduction in inflammation markers among men and women who supplemented their diets with bing cherries. (By the way, taurine is probably fine in small doses, but chug too much and the picture becomes less clear.)
There are so many teas that aid weight loss, it’s truly hard to pick just one. But oolong may just be one of the best brews to give you that long, lean look you crave. Oolong, a Chinese name for “black dragon,” is a light, floral tea that, like green tea, is also packed with catechins, which help to promote weight loss by boosting your body’s ability to metabolise lipids (fat). A study in the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine found that participants who regularly sipped oolong tea lost six pounds over the course of the six-week time period. That’s a pound a week! Shed more belly flab—rapidly—with one of the 4 Teas That Melt Fat!
When regular brewed coffee is chilled and stored, two things happen: First, it begins to lose whatever nuance of taste it once possessed; second, it starts losing the polyphenols that give coffee its health benefits. The best iced coffee is cold brewed; it takes more time to make so it will be more expensive, but you’ll taste the difference. Most notably it will be less bitter, which means you can get away with adding less sugar. And less sugar = fewer calories.

While going entire days without food may seem to go against everything you’ve been taught about health and nutrition, some studies there are no adverse mental or physical effects through fasting[*]. Depending upon the approach you take, you may find that a prolonged fast can become quite uncomfortable. For example, when studying individuals taking various approaches to intermittent fasting, the NIH found those who attempted alternate-day fasting reported great feelings of hunger. More so, those who tried the alternate-day fasting method did not lose significantly more weight than other groups[*].

Pomegranate contains vitamins C and K, folate, proteins, fiber, and potassium. Punicalagins present in pomegranate are antioxidants and help boost the overall immunity. Pomegranate prevents type II diabetes, cancer (prostate and breast), and heart disease. It is also beneficial for those who have arthritis, blood pressure, skin diseases, and cognitive disorders. It improves memory and blood circulation (19).
In a small skillet heat the remaining ½ teaspoon olive oil on medium low. Whisk the egg whites and eggs together with a tablespoon of water until light and airy and add to the small skillet. Let cook slowly undisturbed until ½ of the eggs have set. Use a spatula to gently lift one side of the omelet so that the runny eggs can pool below, then lay back down the cooked eggs and top the entire top of the omelet with cheese.